Maritime: Maison Wood and Lake Togo

Maritime can be explored through specific cultural and experiential themes: in Agbodrafo, the focus is on a single historic building; in Aného, on urban heritage and history. At Lake Togo, relaxation by the shore and activities on the water take center stage. This gives you different focuses for planning your trip—architecture and historical context on the one hand, and a lakeside stay and activities on the other.

Maison Wood in Agbodrafo

Maison Wood in Agbodrafo is also known as Maison des Esclaves and Wood Home. The building, in the Afro-Brazilian style, is distinguished by its striking round-arched doors and windows. It was built shortly after 1835 and occupied by John Wood, a Scottish merchant. Its architecture, construction date and use as a residence by John Wood offer different perspectives on this particular house.

The house is about 21 m long and 10 m wide. It has six rooms and a salon, as well as a cellar 1.50 m deep that extends around the entire perimeter of the building. The length and width give an impression of its external dimensions, while the rooms, salon and cellar describe individual aspects of the structure. This makes it possible to consider the architecture from the exterior form of the building to its room layout and surrounding cellar.

Aného: historic city and visitor attractions

Aného is an old city near the border with Benin, about 50 km east of Lomé. It has been involved in transatlantic trade since the 15th century. Aného has many colonial buildings, including German colonial buildings. The old structures bear witness to the first contacts with European seafarers and merchants, as well as to the colonial period. The city’s history and its old buildings are therefore among the topics you can explore in Aného.

The Aného Museum is a special visitor attraction; the Zangbeto dance is one of the city’s special visitor offerings. If you plan to visit the museum or see the dance, check in advance for current visiting options and dates.

At Lake Togo: time by the shore and activities

You can relax on the shores of Lake Togo. Activities on offer include windsurfing, jet skiing and pedal boating, as well as a pirogue crossing in the direction of Togoville. The options vary in focus: time by the shore, water sports or a trip towards Togoville. If a particular activity is central to your plans, check its current availability in advance.

Togo beyond Maritime

Those looking beyond Maritime to the wider destination of Togo will find other landscape and cultural themes. The UNESCO-listed cultural landscape of Koutammakou is in northeastern Togo and includes farmland and forest. In the city of Kara, theater, music and dance performances take place in event halls and recreational venues. Koutammakou draws attention to a cultural landscape, while Kara focuses on performances—further facets of the wider destination of Togo.

Discover more destinations: Golfe, Plateaux, Centrale Region, Kara.

Return to the main travel overview: Togo.